Rescue device

Abstract

Apparatus for moving an individual. The apparatus includes a fitting attached to one end of a pole. The fitting is shaped and dimensioned to engage an individual's clothing by being pressed against the clothing and rotated.

Having described my invention in such terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice it, and having identified the presently preferred embodiments thereof, I claim: 
     
       1. Apparatus for applying from a first location a pulling force on clothing worn on an individual at a second location, said clothing having a generally flat portion, said apparatus including (a) an elongate member (16) having a longitudinal axis (71) and extending from said first location toward said second location and including (i) a first end at said first location, and   (ii) a second end (15) adjacent said second location;     (b) clothing engagement means attached to said second end and including at least a pair of spaced apart contact feed (50, 52) extending outwardly away from said second end (15) and said first end, each of said feet including (i) a bottom surface (56) for contacting said flat portion of said clothing, and   (ii) at least one side surface (59) extending away from said bottom surface generally toward said second end and coterminating with said bottom surface (56) to form a clothing-engaging edge (60),     said side surface and clothing-engaging edge moving laterally around said longitudinal axis (71) and bearing against and frictionally engaging said clothing when said elongate member and said clothing engagement means ar rotated,   said edge (60) and side surface (59) extending at an angle with respect to said longitudinal axis (71) of said elongate member (16),   said edge being generally parallel to clothing contacting said bottom surface (56);   (c) means for rotating said elongate member and said clothing engagement means and for pressing said bottom surfaces (56) of said feet against said clothing;   said edges frictionally engaging and gathering said flat portion of said clothing and causing said clothing to climb outwardly away from said individual toward said second end of said elongate member (16) and up and over said feet when   (d) said bottom surfaces (56) of said feet (50, 52) are pressed against said flat portion of said clothing with said longitudinal axis (71) perpendicular to said flat portion, and   (e) said elongate member and feet are rotated about said longitudinal axis.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 where each of said feet includes at least one tooth which projects outwardly away from said bottom surface and said clothing when said bottom surfaces contact said clothing. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said bottom surfaces are arcuate and planar in shape. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said tooth includes a blunted tip.